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August 9, 2006

Coco Cannot Keep Leading Off

Coco Crisp is leading off because Terry Francona thinks Manny Ramirez needs Kevin Youkilis's protection in the #5 spot.

I don't want anybody to walk David and Manny and not pay the price or feel that they won't be paying the price. I think Youk can handle that responsibility. ... I like Youk hitting first a lot, but when you lose people you have to make some changes to stretch out your lineup, and we think this is the best possible way to do it.

Overall, Youkilis's OBP is 71 points higher than Crisp's (.396 to .325). And in the leadoff spot, the difference is enormous.

Leading Off

AVG OBP SLGCoco .228 .285 .291Yook .300 .392 .450

Which batter would you want hitting ahead of the RBI guys? ... Memo to Tery: Pena can bat #5. Then Lowell and Crisp.

Here's some good news: X-rays on Mark Loretta's left elbow were negative. ... Also: Doug Mirabelli took batting practice yesterday and hopes to play on Thursday. ... Tim Wakefield played catch from 120 feet. Francona said a return to the rotation in two weeks is a bit optimistic.

I was waiting for this to be an official thread. Francona needs to realize that whoever bats 5th is going to be a huge dropoff from Papi/Manny. Might as well keep your lineup consistent and slot Wily Mo in that 5 spot.

Repeat after me: Except in extreme situations, "PROTECTION" IS A MYTH!!!

Having Varitek flailing away in the 5th hole didn't seem to hurt Manny any, did it? This has been proven again and again, and still people who should know better, like Francona, keep believing that pitchers don't try to get batters out, period.

Of course Youk should be batting first. It's so obvious, its ridiculous.

You hear all the time about pitchers complaining that certain lineups "don't give them any breathers", while others have "holes". Batting a high OBP guy leadoff makes baseball sense, batting a guy #5 that has all the earmarks of turning into a recognized masher may make more psychological sense. I want Wily Mo to feel that the Sox have confidence in his mashing abilities, while making opposing pitchers think that maybe the Sox know something. Batting him 7th or lower takes that little edge away.

Being a "baseball guy". I would say that is not Tito's call. They have to justify the signing of Crisp and the only way they do that is leading him off. Another thing is Youk and Damon's numbers are very alike...And whats the sense of having the speed at the top of the lineup where you dont have to manufacture runs.